Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder

TL;DR

This study compares impulsivity and emotional regulation in people with alcohol and cocaine use disorders, finding that emotional difficulties are more common in alcohol users and those using multiple substances.

Contribution

The study highlights the role of alexithymia in alcohol use disorder and poly-substance use, suggesting a need for emotion-focused treatment approaches.

Findings

Impulsivity levels were similar between alcohol and cocaine users.

Alexithymia scores were higher in alcohol users and poly-substance users compared to cocaine-only users.

Emotion-focused interventions may improve treatment outcomes for individuals with co-occurring substance use.

Abstract

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are frequently associated with impairments in emotional regulation and behavioural control. Among the most prevalent substances of abuse, alcohol and cocaine are known to exert distinct effects on neuropsychological functioning. This study aimed to compare individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) in terms of impulsivity and alexithymia, and to examine the clinical implications of poly-substance use involving both alcohol and cocaine. Participants completed standardized psychometric assessments, including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Group comparisons were conducted using non-parametric tests, and logistic regression models were applied to control for demographic covariates. The findings showed that impulsivity levels were comparable across groups, whereas alexithymia scores were significantly higher in individuals with AUD and in those with poly-substance use, relative to CUD-only participants. These findings underscore the relevance of targeting emotional regulation difficulties, particularly alexithymia, in the assessment and treatment of SUDs. Integrating emotion-focused interventions may enhance treatment outcomes, especially for individuals with co-occurring substance use patterns. Future research is needed to clarify the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms contributing to these differences and to inform more personalized approaches to addiction care.

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